Page Contents for Donora, Pennsylvania

Statistics & Facts

Location

History & History-related items

Historical Events

Chamber of Commerce.

Community events.

Organizations, Churches, and Sports.

Libraries.

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Pennsylvania state capital is Harrisburg.
The population of Donora is approximately 5,420 (2005), 4781 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 2,958 (2000), 2095 (2010).
The amount of land area in Donora is 4.921 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Donora is 1.9 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 0.385 sq kilometers.
The distance from Donora to Washington DC is 179 miles.
The distance to the Pennsylvania state capital is 158 miles. (as the crow flies)
Donora is positioned 40.17 degrees north of the equator and 79.86 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Donora elevation is 900 feet above sea level.
Donora median income is $ 33,400 (2005).
The Donora median home price is $ 50,600 (2005).

Location

in southwestern Pennsylvania about 20 miles from Pittsburgh. Other nearby communities include Monessen, Wickerham Manor-Fisher, Lynnwood-Pricedale, North Belle Vernon, Belle Vernon, North Charleroi, Charleroi and Speers.
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History & History Related Items

Donora was named for William Donner and Nora Mellon who was the wife of banker Andrew Mellon. It was incorporated in 1901. The population has declined over the years as the industrial capacity was lost.
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The incorporation of Donora

11 Feb 1901

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Donora Historical Events

October 1948 - Donora Smog Disaster
An air inversion left a fatal smog over Donora. Smoke from local industries including the Donora Zinc Works was blamed for causing the tragedy. About 20 people died and more than half of Donora's population became ill. Major federal clean air legislation was a legacy of this disaster. For more information about this event, please contact the Donora Historical Society by e-mail: shawley@westol.com. For other contact informaton see the Historical Society listing under organizations.

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October 13, 1948
Paul Marvin McLaughlin - Paula Marlene McLaughlin-Gilmer
Born- October 13, 1948 in Donora, Pennsylvania
Help Stop Child Abuse Now since October 13, 1975 from Donora, Pennsylvania to Portland, Oregon by Paul Marvin McLaughlin.
About The Founder:
Newspaper story about Donora, Pennsylavinia, Eugene, Oregon and Paul McLaughlin
Website since September, 1994

Paul Marvin McLaughlin and his twin sister Paula were born on October 13, 1948 in Donora, Pennsylvania, and were systematically abused, neglected and terrorized for more than eighteen years. Paul nearly died twice from the injuries he suffered as a result of this abuse. Because of the effects of the abuse he suffered, Paul was placed in the Special Education track in Donora. Paul graduated from Donora High School at the age of 21 in 1970.

Paul began his one-man child abuse advocacy campaign, "Help Stop Child Abuse Now," in 1975. Paul started his campaign in Donora, and has continued his efforts on behalf of children in Tacoma, Washington and Portland, Eugene, Oregon. Paul has spoken of his story on twenty talk-radio programs, a television commercial, in two magazine articles and many newspaper articles. He has spoken at open forums in Washington and Oregon, side by side with those who specialize in child abuse and domestic family violence. He has volunteered and worked with other non profit organizations. He shows the people in many communities how to contact proper agencies for assistance for drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness, runaways, or physical abuse. Many lives have been changed as the direct result of Paul's advocacy and his love of children. Let's all work together to Stop Child Abuse Now!

For the suffering, he's the one who delivers hope. Others have benefited from funds he has raised for child abuse programs. Stop Child Abue NOW is a voice on behalf of Pennsylvania, Washington, and Oregon's children. An advocate for children and families in the legislature, the media, and in local communities. Stop Child Abuse Now is a nonprofit organization dedicated to stopping child abuse of all forms, and improving the lives of survivors of all types of abuse and loss. By speaking out about abuse, we increase the public's awareness of the prevalence of abuse. Our voices break the silence which causes so much pain. When we speak out, we help save the lives abused children, and we also help many adult survivors name the source of chaos in their lives. Through awareness and education, survivors can
...regain control over their lives
...learn healthy assertiveness
...learn to develop boundaries
...prevent re-victimization
Our goal is to join with other organizations and individuals who wish to ultimately put a stop to child abuse! We are speaking out for the children who have no voice, who have no choice and who have no way of stopping the violence! We are stepping stones to help, and we are trying to wake up the world!
From Our Founder ... Something is killing our children. It is much more widespread than AIDS, but not enough is being done about it. Every two minutes a child becomes a prisoner of war, taken hostage not by some stranger down the street or from some enemy land, but by someone they know and love. Home should be safe and secure, but sexual abuse is a secret crime with no witnesses! Corporations have security guards, but family homes have nothing to protect the children inside! Kids are screaming out the pain of their abuse in alternative high schools, juvenile homes and treatment centers using what I call "The Silent Scream For Help,". Many are just forgotten. Most victim repress some or all of their abuse, leaving them to feel like bad kids in a society that doesn't even care enough to help them. Someone needs to listen! I am willing to be that someone!!
Please listen to the children! They need us to hear them and help them! I was one of those children. I know the terror and desperation of living with abuse. I know the pain of being forgotten and alone, I will never forget......
Please help continue to support this story in Donora and fund raising in your community.
Paul and LIZ SEVEN McLaughlin
Stop Child Abuse
298 Hunington Ave
Eugene, Oregon 97405
Phone: 541-344-7244

Donora Chamber

Donora Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 655
Donora, PA 15033
Phone: 724-379-5929

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Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
One Chamber Plaza
Charleroi, PA 15022
Phone: 724-483-3507

Donora Community Events

April is Designated As Child Abuse Prevention Month.
A month where all oganizations gather and teach and show what's available in a community to help with drug abuse, child abuse, homeless, crippled children and other non-profit organization.

Donora Organizations

Donora Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 655
Donora, PA 15033
Phone: 724-379-5929

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Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
One Chamber Plaza
Charleroi, PA 15022
Phone: 724-483-3507

Donora Libraries

Donora Public Library
510 Meldon Avenue
Donora, PA
Phone; 412-379-7940
or contact us by e-mail: donlibr@sgi.net
Contact the library directly for hours and special programs Donora

Miscellany

The population of Donora was:
1910 - 8,174
1920 - 14,131
1940 - 13,180
1990 - 5,928
2000 - 5,653
2005 - 5,420
2007 - 5,279

The number of housing units was:
2000- 2,958

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Median age:
2000 - 42.2 years

Median household income:
2000 - $ 27,939
2005 - $ 33,400

Median house value:
2000 - $ 38,600
2005 - $ 50,600

Donora is located in the eastern time zone and does participate in daylight savings time during a portion of the year.